NHL Trade Bait Tracker: Patrick Kane to Rangers heating back up
The NHL Trade Bait Tracker has been updated as we are now almost a week away from the March 3 Trade Deadline.
Patrick Kane is tearing up the league with seven goals and ten points in his last four games, as we await a decision on waiving his no-move clause. While the expectation is it will come today or tomorrow, the New York Rangers are still believed to be the lead candidate.
Jakob Chychrun drops from number one to five as the never-ending saga with the Coyotes continues. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov is expected to be moved soon, which could lead to the Yotes trading Chychrun.
Timo Meier is back in the top five with more suitors lining up at the door, including the St. Louis Blues. Meanwhile, James van Riemsdyk has enough contenders interested leaving him as one of the top candidates to be moved.
Finally, Jonathan Toews has been removed from the list as he’s dealing with illness and will not be traded.
NHL Trade Bait Tracker
Rank | Player (Team) | POS | AGE | TERM – AAV |
1 | Patrick Kane (CHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
2 | Timo Meier (SJS) | F | 26 | 1 YEAR – $6M (RFA) |
3 | James van Riemsdyk (PHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
4 | Vladislav Gavrikov (CBJ) | D | 27 | 1 YEAR – $2.8M |
5 | Jakob Chychrun (ARI) | D | 24 | 3 YEARS – $4.6M |
6 | Ivan Barbashev (STL) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
7 | John Klingberg (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
8 | Dmitry Kulikov (ANA) | D | 32 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
9 | Vitali Kravtsov (NYR) | F | 23 | 1 YEAR – $875K (RFA) |
10 | Sean Monahan (MTL) | C | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6.375M |
11 | Matt Dumba (MIN) | D | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6M |
12 | Nick Bjugstad (ARI) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $900K |
13 | Erik Karlsson (SJS) | D | 32 | 5 YEARS – $11.5M |
14 | Joonas Korpisalo (CBJ) | G | 28 | 1 YEAR – $1.3M |
15 | Max Domi (CHI) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $3M |
16 | Jake McCabe (CHI) | D | 29 | 2 YEARS – $4M |
17 | Nick Ritchie (ARI) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $2.5M |
18 | Brock Boeser (VAN) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $6.65M |
19 | Kevin Shattenkirk (ANA) | D | 34 | 1 YEAR – $3.9M |
20 | Patric Hornqvist (FLA) | F | 36 | 1 YEAR – $5.3M |
21 | Shayne Gostisbehere (ARI) | D | 29 | 1 YEAR – $4.5M |
22 | Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM) | F | 24 | 1 YEAR – $3M (RFA) |
23 | Nathan Beaulieu (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $850K |
24 | Zac Jones (NYR) | D | 22 | 1 YEAR – $925K (RFA) |
25 | Joel Edmundson (MTL) | D | 29 | 2 YEARS – $3.5M |
26 | Jack Roslovic (CBJ) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $4M |
27 | Luke Schenn (VAN) | D | 33 | 1 YEAR – $850K |
28 | James Reimer (SJS) | G | 34 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
29 | Mattias Ekholm | D | 32 | 3 YEARS – $6.25M |
30 | Tyler Bertuzzi (DET) | F | 28 | 1 YEAR – $4.75M |
Notable Trades:
Bo Horvat to New York Islanders
Vladimir Tarasenko to New York Rangers
Ryan O’Reilly to Toronto Maple Leafs
Tyler Motte to New York Rangers
Nik Zaitsev to Chicago Blackhawks
A look at the top trade candidates

Patrick Kane: When the Rangers traded for Vladimir Tarasenko, Kane was not shy to tell reporters he was disappointed because they were a team he was considering. This latest scoring binge has brought his season totals to 45 points in 54 games and easing concerns over his hip injury. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported yesterday, that Kane still feels there’s a chance he can land on Broadway. Larry Brooks of the NY Post followed that up with the Rangers still exploring a trade for Kane. It would take some cap gymnastics, but a path to a deal is laid out here.
Timo Meier: The 26 year-old has 31 goals and 52 points in 57 games to date. The New Jersey Devils are linked as the strongest suitor to acquire him with the Carolina Hurricanes also in the mix. A new team that just became a serious contender to land Meier are the St. Louis Blues with three-first round picks to play with. According to Pierre LeBrun, the extension for Timo Meier is expected to be at least $9 million per season.
James van Riemsdyk: The 33 year-old has 23 points in 39 games this season. Interest has been building with multiple suitors that includes the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild. In a recent interview conducted with Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, he feels the Wild are the most likely trade destination.
Vladislav Gavrikov: This 27 year-old defenseman is garnering a lot of attention with the Edmonton Oilers rumored to be the most likely landing spot. This year, he has 10 points in 52 games and could solidify a contender’s top 4. Another team emerging as a serious candidate are the Boston Bruins.
Jakob Chychrun: The trade saga continues between the Arizona Coyotes Chychrun. With 2 more years remaining on his contract and an excellent AAV of at $4.6 million, he’s a great cost-controlled top 4 d-man. At this point, people are wondering if this trade will ever happen and the Los Angeles Kings still remain the top landing spot. Through 36 games, Chychrun has 28 points on the season.